Human intra-acrosomal sperm antigen

Abstract

A substantially purified intra-acrosomal human sperm antigen useful in a contraceptive vaccine is disclosed herein. The antigen remains associated with human sperm after the acrosome reaction. In particular, it remains associated with the inner and outer acrosomal membranes. Modified antigens and fragments thereof prepared by protein modification techniques are also disclosed as well as methods for purifying and using the antigens. Also disclosed are monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the antigen and methods of making and using such antibodies. Methods of use include purification of the antigen or use in various diagnostic techniques. Also disclosed are cDNA, expression vectors, and transformed microorganisms that produce the antigen.

We claim: 
     
       1. Isolated DNA which encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence 1-265 of FIGS. 11A and 11 B. 
     
     
       2. Isolated DNA which encodes an intra-acrosomal human sperm antigen that remains with said human sperm after said sperm has undergone an acrosome reaction, said antigen having a molecular weight of 18-34 kilodaltons and an isoelectric 4.9-5.4, wherein said DNA has the nucleotide sequence 61-855 of FIGS. 11A and 11B. 
     
     
       3. An expression vector for the transformation of an expression host, comprising heterologous DNA which comprises DNA which encodes an intra-acrosomal sperm antigen that remains with said human sperm after said sperm has undergone an acrosome reaction, said antigen having the molecular weight of 19÷kilodaltons and an isoelectric point at 4.9-5.4, wherein said antigen has the amino acid sequence 1-265 of FIGS. 11A and 11B, operably linked to a regulatory control DNA. 
     
     
       4. An expression vehicle for the expression of an intra-acrosomal human sperm antigen that remains with said human sperm after said sperm undergoes an acrosome reaction, comprising an E. coli with DNA comprising the expression vector of claim 3.